harper



(No Model.).

, N. HARPER.

A V HAT- IZING APPARATUS. 1Y0. 293,015. Patented Feb. 5, 1884.

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7 ."UNITE STATES PATENT OFFIQEQ NATHAN HARPER, oE NEWARK, NEW JERSEY,nssrenon To ruinous w ADAMS, OF SAME PLACE.

HAT-SIZING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patnt No. 293,015, dated February5, 1884;

- Application filed June 29,1883. (X model) I To all, whom it mayconcern:

Be it known that I, NATHAN IIARIER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Hat-Sizing Apparatus;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same. a

The object of this invention is to facilitate W the operation of feltingor sizing hat-bodies,

and to effect a saving in the amount of manual labor heretofore employedin said operation. u

The invention consists in the arrangements and combinations of parts,substantially as hereinafter set forth, and finally embodied in theclaims. Referring to the accompanying drawings,in which similar lettersof referenceindicate corresponding parts in each of the figures, Figure1 is a longitudinal vertical section, of my improved devise; and Figs. 2and 3 are similar sections, showing additional features thereof andmodifications therein.

It is well understood that the process of sizing or felting hat-bodiesconsists in alternately dipping said bodies in hot felting-liquid, andthen rolling themunder the hands or within a felting-chamber. It isfurther understood that the best results in quality and quantity cannotbe obtained unless said bodies are thus dipped and heated prior to eachrepetition of the rolling process. If said bodies are not thus redippedand thoroughly heated previous to each repetition of said rollingprocess, the quality of the goods will thereby be rendered inferior.This dipping of the hatbodies in felting-liquid outside of afeltingchamber has heretofore, so far as I know, been done by hand, andhas consumed a large portion of the time of the operator. Even in sizingwith a machine having its felting-surfaces immersed in felting-liquid,if the said dipping is omitted and the hat-rolls passed directly intothe felting-chamber, the said rolling operation at once commences beforegoods, I employ an automatic device adapted to dip or submergesaidbodies in the feltingliquid while they are free from allfelting-surfaces or outside of the felting-chamber. Any mechanism may beemployed for this purpose, that which I prefer, however, consists offeeding and delivering devices submerged or in part submerged, within atank 5f felting-liquid, and connected with a felting-chamber orfeltingsurfaces, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the drawings, a is a tank or vessel adapted to be filled with wateror other felting-liquid, which may be heated by any of the usual means,said tank being in this case made long enough to include both thedipping and feeding mechanism as well as the felting devices. Inconnection with said tank is arranged a felting mechanism, 1), havingthe lower part of the felting surface or surfaces submerged in thefelting-liquid, the felting devices herein shown being a central drum,g, and a surrounding felting bed or apron, f, said drum and bed or apronhaving a felting-chamberfll, between them for the passage of thehat-rolls. To such an arrangement of the felting mech-- anism, however,I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself, as any other form orvariety of felting-machine may be used in this connection in lieu ofthat herein shown.

I prefer to arrange the delivering device above the felting-liquid, asshownlinFigs. 1 and 2, to enable the operators to handle the rollswithout coming into contact with the heated liquid, while the feedingdevice I submerge within the felting-liquid, so that the hat-rolls maypass through the same and be thoroughly heated and saturated before theycome into contact with the felting-surfaces. To this end I arrangeeitheror both of the belts c (1 within the tank a, and below, or in a partbelow, the water-line thereof, so that one or both of said belts aresubmerged, or

partially submerged, in the felting liquid; but I prefer that thefeeding mechanism only shall be entirely submerged. I

In Fig. 1 is a belt or apron, 0, adapted to convey or impel thehat-rolls 0 to and from the felting-chamber h. The lower half of saidbelt is hereshown below the upper edge of the tank, and so immersed inthe felting-liquid. The said belt may be constructed of india-rubher,textile material, cords, cables, wires, chains, or any material orcombination of materials adapted to the purpose. On the outer surface ofsaid belt I provide a series of projections, e, at suitable distancesapart, to form recesses adapted to receive a roll of hats between them,and of such height as will retain said roll in its position 011 saidbelt. \Vhere said projections are used to propel the hatrolls throughthe felting-liquid, as in Fig. 1, I construct them of greater heightthan when simply used to retain said rolls in position on the belt, asin Fig.3. The said projections may consist of ribs forming partof saidbelt,

or of lags, bosses, or slats secured thereon,

In practice, I however, I prefer, because of their lightness,-

either by rivets or other means.

wooden slats running crosswise of said belt, although any other materialmaybe employed.

Said slats or projections may be either longer or shorter than the widthof the belt, their length being only limited by the width of the tank orframe within which said belts travel. These slats or projectionsaccomplish a variety of results. First, they enable thehat-rolls to beconveyed to and return. from the felting-ehamher by using a single beltonly, as in Fig. 1, two belts having been heretofore necessary for thispurpose; second, they enablethe said feeding and discharging orreturning devices to be operated on an incline either above or below thehorizontal line, as illustrated in Fig. 3; third, when submerged, orpartially submerged, within the felting-liquid, they force the hat-rollsto travel through said liquid 1:0-

ward or into the felting-chamber, thereby in- I suring the requisitesupply of heat and saturation to the rolls, and converting a feedingbeltinto a feeding and dipping mechanism. The said slats likewise keep thecross-section of the belt fully and evenly distended, and enable it tobe more easily guided. These slats therefore possess advantages forfeeding and delivering independently of the dipping function, and aredesirable alike either on feeding, discharging, or dipping belts. Thesaid belt is distended by the rollers i and j, and is driven by any ofthe usual means. A series of rollers, k, is or may be employed toprevent said belt from sagging. Beneath said belt, and close to theprojections thereon, I arrange a platform or bed, (1, for the receptionof the hat-rolls as they pass from the belt 0 over rollers 2'. Saidplatform, table, or bed may consist of stationary or immovablepartssuch'as boards, slats, rods, rubber cloth, or any-other suitablematerials, or of rollers 01, arranged to form a continuous bed, whichbed is stationary when considered as a whole. These rollers, as well asthose sustaining the belt, may have their hearings on strips securedagainst the inner sides of the tank, or on a frame independent of saidtank. Behind and in juxtaposition to the roller 1', I construct an adjustable frame of rollers to guide or conduct the hat-rolls from theupper belt to the lower belt or platform. The rollers offer lessresistance than plain surfaces to the passage of the l1at-rolls, and areon this account preferred.

In Fig. 2 are shown two belts, c and d, the latter entirely submergedbelow the water and the former partially so. These belts are placedclose enough to each other to press against the upper and lower sides ofthe hat-rolls, as at 0, and thereby convey them through thefelting-liquid toward or into the felting-chamher. If preferred, slatsor otherprojections may be employed 011 either or both of these belts,and their distance from each other be increased accordingly.

In Fig. 3 the belts c and d carrythe hatrolls to and from thefelting-chamber, but per form no dipping function, the projecting slatsbeing shown on the lower belt to illustrate their use on carryingdevices, irrespective of their employment for dipping purposes. Thesingle belt and stationary platform (shown in Fig. 1) can in like mannerbe used for feeding and returning the hat-rolls independently of anydipping function. It will thus be manifest that any of the carryingdevices herein shown can be arranged to operate atvarious degrees ofinclination; that they can be connected with a felting-chamber and beused to convey the hats to and from said chamber without being immersedor used for dipping; that they can besubmerged to any extent de sired,and thereby perform both the carrying and the dipping, and that they canbe disconnected from a felting-chamber and so be used for dipping only.

The usual manner of using the machine is substantially as follows: Iowerbeing applied by any of the usual. means, the belts travel in thedirection of the arrows. The operators stand on each side of the machineand place the hat-rolls on the belt 0, by which they are conveyed overthe roller i on to the beltdor platform cl, beneath the boilingfelting-liquid, through which they are carried on said belt or plat formto the felting-chamber 71 thence between the felting-surfaces to rollerj, where they are again received by the belt 0, from which they areremoved by the operator, to be refolded and again passed through themachine as of ten as necessary until the sizing is completed. In thuspassing through the hotliquid the hat bodies become thoroughly heatedand saturated before they reach the felting-chamber, and are therebybrought into the best condition for the rolling operation before cominginto contact with the felting-surfaces. By these means hand-dippingbetween the successive rolling operations is entirely dispensed with, alarge reduction in the amount of labor and in the cost of the sizingoperation effected, and a superior quality of goods obtained.

Having thus described myinventiomwhat I claim as new is- 1. Inhat-sizing apparatus, dipping mechanism constructed-and adapted toautomatically dip or immerse the hat-rolls in the felt-' ingliquidoutside of the felting-chamber, substantially as set forth.

2. In ahat-sizing apparatus, dipping mechanism constructed and adaptedto automatieally dip or immerse the hat-rolls or hat-bodies in thefelting-liquid outside of the feltingchamber, and thence convey themtoward or into said chamber, substantially as set forth.

3. In a hat-sizing apparatus, dipping mechanism consisting of atraveling belt or apron submerged, or in part submerged, beneath thefelting-liquid, and provided with slats, ribs, bosses, or otherprojections adapted to receive a roll of hats between them, and toautomatically dip or immerse said hats in said liquid outside of thefelting-chamber, substantially as set forth.

4. In a hat-sizing apparatus, dipping mechanism consisting of atraveling belt or apron, submerged,or in part submerged, beneath thefelting-liquid, and provided with slats, ribs, bosses, or otherprojections adapted to receive a roll of hats between them, and toantomatically dip or immerse said hats in said liquid outside of thefelting chamber and thence convey them toward or into said chamber,substantially as set forth.

.5. In hat-sizing apparatus, a belt or apron adapted to convey thehat-rolls from the folders to the felting-chamber, or to return themfrom thefelting-chamber to the folders, said belt or apron beingprovided with slats, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a hat-sizing apparatus, a feedingbelt or apron providedwithslat-s, ribs, bosses, or other projections adapted to receive a rollof hats between them, and convey or impel said hats toward or into thefelting-chamber, substantially as set forth.

7. In a hat-sizing apparatus, a feeding belt or apron provided withslats, ribs, bosses, or

. other projections adapted to receive a roll of hats between them, andto convey said hats from the felting-chamber.

S. In a hat-sizing apparatus, a feeding and a discharging mechanismhaving but a single carrying belt or apron, said belt or apron beingprovided with slats, ribs, bosses, orother projections adapted toreceive a roll of hats between them, and to convey or impel said hats toand from the felting-chamber, substanchamber, and a discharging belt orapron adapted to convey said hat-rolls from. the felting-chamber, one orboth of said aprons being submerged, or in part submerged, within thefelting-liquid to dip orimmerse said hats therein while conveying themtoward said feltingchamber, substantially as set forth.

11. In a hat-sizing mechanism, the combination of afelting-chamber witha feeding apparatus containing a stationary table,platform, or bedadapted to receive the hat-rolls, and along which said rolls areimpelled or drawn by a belt or other suitable mechanism toward or intothe feltingchamber, substantially as set forth.

12. In a hat sizing apparatus, a feeding mechanism containing astationary platform of rollers adapted to receive the hat-rolls, andalong which said hat-rolls are drawn or impelled by a belt or othersuitable mechanism toward or into the felting-chamber, substantially asset forth.

13. In a hat-sizing apparatus, afeeding and discharging mechanismconsisting of a traveling belt or apron provided with slats, ribs,bosses, or other proj eetions adapted to receive a roll between them,and to convey said hats from the felting-chamber, in combination with astationary table, platform, or bed, along which said hats may be drawnor impelled by said belt or projections toward or into said chamber.

14. In ahat-sizing apparatus, a feeding and dipping mechanism containinga stationary table, platform, or bed adapted to receive the hat-rolls,and along which said rolls may travel or be impelled or drawn by a beltor other suitable mechanism toward or into the feltingchamber, saidtable, platform, or bed being submerged, or in part submerged, in thefelting-liquid outside of the felting-chamber to dip or immerse saidhats in said liquid while being conveyed toward said chamber,substantially as set forth.

15. In a hat-sizing apparatus containing feeding and dischargingmechanism, a guide or connecting device provided with a series ofrollers and adapted to guide or convey the hat-rolls from one mechanismto the other, substantially as set forth.

16. In a hatsizing mechanism, the combination of belt 0, slats orprojections a, platform cl, and tank a, substantially as and for thepurpose setforth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this16th day of June, 1883.

CHARLES H. FELL, F. F. CAMPBELL.

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